308 
Birds of Ceylon. 
impudence are put np Avith, and they are never suifered to be 
shot or otherwise destroyed. 
The kites and vultures are very destructive to the feathered 
tribes of the forest ; but wheie troops are encamped, are, like 
the croAVS, A^ery useful in removing all noisome matters. 
The Indian roller is a bird remarkable for the beauty of its 
plumage: its tail is ornamented with tAVO feathers of singular 
appearance and remarkable length. 
The yellow-crowned thrush, Avhich is here kept in cages, is 
remarkable for its poAvers of imitation, and can readily repeat 
every note Avhich it hears. It is called in Ceylon, the Miner^ 
and is blackish Avith a yellow bill and head. 
Among the smaller birds, the tailor-bird is particularly re- 
markable for the art with Avhich it constructs its nest. This 
bird is of a yellow colour, irot exceeding three inches in length, 
and slender in proportion. To prevent the possibility of its 
little nest being shaken down, it contriAms to attach it in such 
a manner to tlie leaves of the tree, that both must stand or 
fall together. The nest is formed of leaves which it picks up 
from the ground ; and it contrives, by means of its slender 
bill and some fine fibres, wdiich it uses as needle and thread, 
to sew these leaves to those groAving on the tree with great 
dexterity. Hence it receives the name of the tailor-bird. 
The lining, which consists of down, adds little to the Aveight 
of the nest, Avhich is scarcely felt on the twig that supports it. 
Two species of fly-catchers are found in Ceylon. They are 
remarkable for the enormous length of their tails, AAdiich gives 
them the appearance of arroAvs while they dart through the 
air. In the tail of one of them are tAVo feathers, which ex- 
ceed the others in length by at least nine inches. 
